This tutorial will demonstrate how to use Smart Objects, Filters and Layer Masks combined with a Wacom Tablet to smooth the skin of a model and then selectively enhance shadows and highlights within the scene.

I am using this Wacom Intuos Pro Tablet to complete the tutorial, however the techniques we will use can be done with any Wacom tablet. If you are interested in Digital Art and don’t have access to a graphics tablet, I strongly recommend looking into picking one up. Check out Wacom’s entire line of creative pen tablets here: http://www.wacom.com/en-us/products/pen-tablets
Step 1
Begin by opening your chosen image in Photoshop. I am using this image from Unsplash which you can download …

In the past, when I wanted to create a paint-like effect, I always opened Photoshop and relied on the trusty old bitmap graphic. That is, until I discovered the Bristle Brush in Illustrator. The Bristle Brush (which is actually a set of brushes) allows you to paint with layers of vector strokes that apply different shades and transparencies to the stroke. The result is a beautiful and realistic looking paint stroke that is 100% vector.

Creating a hand drawn look in Illustrator is easier than you think. So easy in fact, that you can create an entire design that looks completely hand drawn in a matter of minutes. I’ll show you how below in this easy to follow tutorial.

Everyone loves retro type styles. Whether its a poster heading or an editorial title, this style is very desirable. Creating type effects in Adobe Illustrator via the Appearance panel is quick and easy. Keeping your type editable and saving your effects via the Graphic Styles presets is a huge time savor for down the road.

We’ve all seen it on Instagram. The look is a blend of retro and vintage with a touch of cross processing. We tend refer to it as a “hipster” photo effect. Whatever you like to call it, the look is undeniably appealing, and very quick and easy to create in Photoshop with just a few adjustment layers. In this quick tip, I’ll show you how.

I’ve noticed a recent trend of coloring books targeted to adults. It centers around the idea that coloring intricate patterns can be a method of stress relief and relaxation. These patterns are often complex with tons of detail and repeating patterns. While these pages may look very intricate they can be created quite easily with a few simple tricks in Adobe Illustrator.

If you’ve ever seen an old 3D movie, comic book or photograph you’ll recognize this look. It’s intended to produce a 3D effect when viewed through the old red and blue 3D glasses. But, if you’re like me, you’ve removed the glasses and wondered about the distorted and colorful image that’s revealed. This look is wonderfully nostalgic, and very easy to create yourself in Photoshop.

In this tutorial, I’m going to add to the image a bit using the free Dust Particle PS Brush Set found here at WeGraphics. After all, what’s the point of creating a 3D image without something intended to “come at” the viewer. Also, I will be …

There are dozens of major outdoor festivals held throughout the summer months, each seeking to catch the eye of people with limited time and money. Even in a digital age, the classic one-sheet concert poster – like the iconic Woodstock poster below – remains a design staple. A well-designed poster is both functional and artistic and seeks to present logististical information in a visually captivating way.

A successful festival poster must overcome a few design challenges. First, the design must accommodate information about the lineup and location, which normally is best presented as text. Given that a festival can range anywhere from two to five days, a designer must be creative …

The WeGraphics Community Art Project has closed. Thanks to everyone for their submissions. The three winning designs are below. Art Project resources can be found here.
Experienced designers will tell you that design doesn’t happen in a vacuum: we’re all inspired by the work of others and we’re all pushed in specific directions by the industries that pay us. A professional designer is nearly always walking the lines between art and industry, and individual and community.
But sometimes it’s fun to push boundaries — and that’s where the WG Community Art Project comes in. We want to provide an opportunity for our community to work together as designers and create artwork …

In this tutorial I’ll show you how I use the Envelope Distort feature in Adobe Illustrator to warp text, creating a vintage badge or logo design. After that we’ll add some additional text, photos and textures to complete the piece. Let’s dive right in and see how easy this process can be.

Clean and modern 3D type is a cool effect, and it’s surprisingly quick and easy to create. With the combination of Photoshop and Illustrator, this effect is can be created in minutes. Let’s take a look at how it’s done.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Si Scott. I’ve followed his work for some time now, and I’m always amazed at the amount of detail in his illustrations. I can’t imagine the time it takes to create such beautiful and perfect swirls and curves that is featured in a lot of his work. With that in mind, I set out to see if I could create a similar look in Illustrator, and what I found was one tool that was essential in creating these decorative swirls.

I take a lot of texture photos. The macro lens in on my camera about 90% of the time waiting for the opportunity to find a perfect texture. In most cases though, textures are not design ready right out of the camera. Below I’ll cover 5 simple tricks that I use to enhance my textures in Photoshop.

There is a tool in Photoshop that I use so often that I don’t even think about it. This tool is so essential to my work flow that I would be lost without it. I realized that if I didn’t write a PS Quick Tip on this simple tool, I would be doing the design community a disservice. If there is even one Photoshop user out there that discovers this tool from this article, I will have done my job. :-)